Olympic rings

The city of Mobile has a lot of fight left in it. And a lot of fight coming to it.

The U.S. Olympic boxing team trials is set to be held this summer in the Port City.

The Olympic trials in Mobile. That has a nice rings to it.

Today's Press-Register editorial:

Olympic event a knockout for Mobile

MOBILE'S LITTLE piece of the 2012 Olympics ought to liven up the city this summer. With the help of $200,000 from BP, Mobile will host the U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Men's Boxing. The Olympic Games in London aren't until next year, but the boxers like to settle on their team early, so their trials are scheduled July 28 through Aug. 8.

The U.S. Junior Nationals and the annual meeting of the U.S. Olympic Boxing Committee also are scheduled in Mobile on those dates, making this the first time that all three events are held in one place at the same time.

In addition to being a treat for Southern boxing fans, the events will give Mobile national, and even international, prestige. NBC holds the broadcast rights, and organizers are hoping for good coverage.

More important locally will be the emphasis on accessibility, with reasonably priced tickets.

Bud Ratliff, director of the Mobile Sports Authority, told the Press-Register's editorial board that he's hoping to see whole families and busloads of youth groups at the event. (Remember, this is amateur boxing with headgear and more emphasis on sport than the bloody professional fights on Pay-Per-View.) Matches will be at the Mobile Civic Center.

BP, still looking to make up for the economic damage done by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, is paying the $200,000 bid fee charged by U.S. Boxing, passing the money through the Alabama Coastal Development Committee.

Mr. Ratliff says BP also wants to showcase the cleanup of Dauphin Island by taking competitors to the island for work projects.

The Sports Authority hopes to raise $135,000 to cover the rest of the expenses through city and county government contributions and private sponsorships. With the possibility of more than 5,000 hotel room nights being booked during the event, sponsors shouldn't be difficult to find.

The city will fill up with aspiring Olympians, younger athletes, their parents and U.S. Boxing officials. By the end of the event, 10 Olympians and 10 alternates will be named to the U.S. team, and Mobile will have a special rooting interest in London 2012.